LORD BADEN POWELL

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1931, Page 5

LORD BADEN POWELL

INTERESTING COMMENTS. “The Scout movement now reaches three million young people throughout the world and they all look on one another as brothers and sisters, and there is that friendly spirit that will do a great deal of good,” stated the Chief Scout, Lord BntTen-Pmvelb at a civic reception at Christchurch on Tuesday,, “The movement helps jto create a sense of citizenship and spreads a wider patriotism and leeliiig of friendship among men. Scouts are taught to be straightforward and honourable and to stick to the truth no matter what they bring against them. Those in the movement are trying to build up healthy minds as well as healthy bodies, and are endeavouring to hake healthy, happ.v and useful citizens,”

“The young people are handicapped these days by the increasing search for pleasure and because it is so easy to let.” declared the Chief Scout, Lord Baden-Powell, at a civic reception ten. dered him on Tuesday. “Another handicap is that damnable motto. ‘Safety First,’ which stifles initiative and prevents the taking of responsibility. Besides the increase in pleasures, there is the herd instinct which sways the voung so much. For example wo get. young girls smoking, because otheis do. not because they like it. The herd instinct has even spread to autograph hunting, I am sorry to sav. ’ (Laughter.)

An amusing story ol a novel presentation is told by Lord Baden-Powell, the Chief Scout, who is visiting Christchurch. “ft was at the jamboree two years ago,’’ he said. “The Scouts decided to make me a presentation, each Scout to give a penny, not more. There were thirty-seven nations represented. and the idea came from th« Danes, and the Siamese were the first to hand over their pennies. The idea was kept away from me. hut when they came to choose a present, they took my wi'e into their confidence. At their 'ustance. she asked me, one day. what f most wanted in the world. U don’t think there is anything in particular.’ I said hut when pressed 1 said that my old braces were giving out. T was presented with, first and foremost a pair of braces, and a motor-car anrl travelling caravan.”

“T understand that one of tlm great pastimes of the Chief Scout is fishing."

said the Mayor (the Rev. ,T. T\. Archer). himself a keen fisherman, at the civic reception to Lord Baden-Powell at Christchurch. “I’m hoping that at last we have secured a fisherman who tells the truth, for no one would accuse the Chief Scout of telling a lie.” “As for fishing.” remarked the Chief Scout, when his chance carnet “T was born on George Washington’s birthday it's a funny thing, hut my wife, a woman of taste, was horn on the same day. It "ill he remembered that George Washington was the gentleman who could never tell a lie without being found out.”